pursue
verbUK /pəˈsjuː/ · US /pɚˈsu/
Etymology From Middle English pursuen, from Anglo-Norman pursure, poursuire etc., from Latin prōsequor (though influenced by persequor). Doublet of prosecute.
1
Ambitransitive To follow urgently, originally with intent to capture or harm; to chase.
- pursue one's dreams
- The wicked flee when no man purſueth: but the righteous are bolde as a lyon.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Proverbs 28:1:
1 more example
- He now feared for his life, and believed US intelligence agents would pursue him.15 September 2009, Martin Chulov, “Iraqi shoe-thrower claims he suffered torture in jail”, in The Guardian:
2
To follow, travel down (a particular way, course of action etc.).
- Her rival pursued a quite different course.
3
To aim for, go after (a specified objective, situation etc.).
- He even stands to gain in world terms: his noisy critics strengthen his projected image of a man determined to pursue peace with Palestinians.1 December 2009, Benjamin Pogrund, “Freeze won't hurt Netanyahu”, in The Guardian:
4
To participate in (an activity, business etc.); to practise, follow (a profession).
- The Kedarites are depicted as herders of sheep and goats who pursued a seminomadic existence and lived scattered over a wide area of the desert region east of the land of Israel.2001, David L. Lieber, Jules Harlow, Etz Hayim: Torah and Commentary, page 141:
5
To act as a legal prosecutor.
6
Archaic To continue; to carry on.
- 'Allow me, great king,' pursued the Demon, in a dry tone of voice, 'to wish you joy […]1870, Richard Francis Burton, “Conclusion”, in Vikram and the Vampire; or, Tales of Hindu Devilry, London: Longmans, Green, and Co, page 307:
- Derived terms
- mispursue, overpursue, pursuable, pursuance, pursuee, pursuer, pursuingly, repursue, unpursued, unpursuing